Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999

Vol. 509 No. 6

Written Answers. - Health Services.

Alan Shatter

Question:

323 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if each hospital and health board has kept within budget for 1999 at 30 September 1999; the hospitals and health boards which over-spent on that date; and the extent of the over-spending in each case. [21048/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out as it applies on 31 August 1999. The information up to 30 September is not due to be returned to the Department until 25 October. However, due to the nurses' strike these figures will not be available until early November.

The following tables illustrate the position at the end of August.

Health Boards	1999Determination£m	Variance toendof August£m
Eastern	551.429	14.476
Midland	141.740	2.211
Mid-Western	198.496	2.971
North-Eastern	190.030	2.968
North-Western	171.905	1.739
South-Eastern	252.213	3.229
Southern	336.638	8.490
Western	272.508	3.646
Total	2,114.959	39.730

Voluntary Hospitals	1999Determination£m	Variance toendof August£m
St. James's	103.868	3.550
Beaumont	89.342	0.778
Mater	75.253	0.013
St. Vincent's, Elm Park	63.982	0.064
Tallaght	64.288	0.627
St. Michael's, Dún Laoghaire	8.951	0.253
Royal Victoria Eye & Ear	10.036	(0.197)
Mercy, Cork	22.478	0.119
South Infirmary/Victoria Cork	13.790	0.341
Portiuncula, Ballinasloe	14.671	0.752
St. John's, Limerick	7.799	0.318
Coombe	17.197	0.343
National Maternity, Holles St	17.455	0.406
Rotunda	17.896	(0.073)
Our Lady's, Crumlin	35.666	0.343
Temple Street	24.094	0.633
St. Luke's/St. Anne's	14.681	0.082
Hume Street	1.521	(0.061)
Cappagh Orthopaedic	10.426	(0.005)
Inc. Orthopaedic, Clontarf	2.100	(0.008)
National Rehabilitation Hospital	7.831	0.023
Total	623.325	8.301

The tables indicate a pure variance based on the original determination. As explained below, the determinations fall to be adjusted due to expenditure incurred on items covered by the Supplementary Estimate. The variances will be removed or significantly reduced by these pending adjustments.

In relation to the variances recorded by health boards, significant funding is due on foot of those items eligible for adjustment by way of Supplementary Estimate, i.e., demand-led community drug schemes, superannuation and PRSI expenditure. In the case of voluntary hospitals, similar adjustments will be due to agencies. In particular, St James's Hospital is anticipating funding for blood products i.e., Factor VIII and IX recombinant blood.

The Deputy is aware that each board is obliged to maintain its expenditure within the agreed determination, under the provisions of the accountability legislation. This legislation is applied to the voluntary hospitals on an administrative basis. It is expected that by the end of the year agencies' budgets and expenditure will be realigned with service plans.